Magelang, Central Java (Antara Babel) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has lauded the establishment of Village Development Centers (Balkondes) by state-owned enterprises (BUMN) at numerous locations in Indonesia to boost the tourism potential and build a populist economy.
The president lauded the establishment of Balkondes Tuksongo in Magelang District, Central Java, on Monday.
Accompanied by Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, President Jokowi was greeted by State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, Telkom President Director Alex J. Sinaga, and several BUMN directors who helped build Balkondes at the Borobudur area in Magelang.
On arrival at Balkondes Tuksongo, Telkom Director Alex J. Sinaga informed the president that the Balkondes Tuksongo has facilities, such as a workshop room, meeting room, homestay, prayer room, toilets for people with disabilities, parks, and an open space for a theater.
President Jokowi thereafter reviewed the homestay facilities and the home automation technology that can automatically open and lock rooms as well as turn on the electricity, air conditioning, and Indihome facilities, including the television and internet.
The president then symbolically handed over 10 thousand clove and coffee seedlings to some 20 village heads in Borobudur Sub-district.
Later, President Jokowi and his entourage made their way to visit Balkondes Wringinputih built by PT Pertamina.
The development of Balkondes is part of the State Enterprises program of "BUMN Present for the State," initiated by the State Enterprises Ministry to help the government in boosting tourist arrivals and the region's economy.
In the meantime, State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno said Balkondes is a community-based "Interconnecting Tourism System" in addition to improving the village economy as well as empowering and developing human resources based on tourism.
"The concept of establishing Balkondes is to build a populist economy through the assistance of corporate social responsibility that supports the progress of the tourism sector," she noted.
